I tried to keep only what hit me between the eyes and knocked me sideways when I saw it.

And not just for the first time but every time.

You might need to look through lots of images before you find these special ones but when you do, it'll make all the kitchen-foraging worthwhile. Those are the ones that you'll love for weeks, months and years to come.

Kitchens are a right old faff to renovate so you need to make sure you're going for a look that'll last.

In between showing you our kitchen, I'll be sharing some of the kitchens that make my heart go pitter-patter.

This has inspired me to clean off everything on my counters. So Clean and Elegant and Classy. It makes you feel like you want to be there sitting, drinking tea,coffee, or Hot coco (with whipped cream). looking out the windows. Deep Sigh.

Hello! Just discovered your blog - oh boy so glad I did, as I'm just about to embark on a kitchen renovation adventure (well...about to embark on the planning stage...gotta start somewhere, right!). Really looking forward to putting the kettle on and sitting down with a cuppa to wander through your pages & your gorgeous home. Thanks for sharing. Alison : ) x

I think it is a great idea to give yourself that small margin. Who wants to totally redecorate only to find that in 6 months or a year you are tired of the colors or patterns? Thanks for the great tips and advice :)

About my hair.. you're the sweetest person in this world! :-) Thank you so much. Yep, my hair is pretty long... sometimes I feel like cutting it a bit, but I'm enjoying it for now. :-) But thank you so much!

I think my style is much like yours, because everything that you show here as inspiration makes my heart go pitter-patter!!! (And I love your kitchen reno.) But, it does not make my hubby's heart go pitter-patter! If only! Trying to meld out styles is getting crazy. He is ultra conservative, I am adventurous! What would you do about that???Hugs, Cindy

As we're looking to update our kitchen this year, this is super timely and fantastic advice! I have so many gorgeous (white!) kitchens in my inspiration folder but you are absolutely right - follow your heart, not trends ;)

oooooh i like these a lot! especially their timeless appeal, and you're so right. i.e. you should only incorporate a glass tile backsplash if you ADORE it not just because it's all the rage. it's got to be right for the long run since it's not an easy feature to change later!

Fun, fun, fun! We were going to paint our kitchen this week, but after reading several of your posts, I've realized that I really need to think it out a little better instead of hopping in and then not being happy with it. Thank you so much my friend!Blessings,Marcia

Wonderful post, very inspiring as I've been "kitchen foraging" for nearly a year now. I'm going to add some of the pictures to the "powerpoint" on my dream kitchens I've been doing... Thanks a lot for your last comment on my blog - I'm feeling better as January progresses (really hate that January!).Love,Magali from the Little White House

Just beautiful and those are the sort of lights I've been wanting in my kitchen for ages. Our kitchen will the last to do in our house as it's the hardest but I'm definately storing up ideas.

And I've just recently painted the floorboards in my daughter's room white (out of necessity) but love them so much I'm considering doing it in the rest of the house. Even when they're dirty (hair etc) they still look clean and bright to me. And so easy to sweep up.

Sarah, I love the kitchen(s) you showed. The floors are so beautiful. The whole space is clean and refreshing.

I've always wondered what it would be like to live in such a bright white space. I have to wonder if I would start to yearn for the warmth of wood. I personally like a combination of both, but I think it would be fun to live in that space for a while to get a real feel for the white beyond images.

I absolutely LOVE this kitchen. Such clean, uncluttered lines, and such a restful, relaxing colour scheme. I love the clever, subtle mix of styles - extremely original. Thank you for posting these pictures. Very satisfying to dwell on! Considering that I've been completely happy with my own kitchen for 25 years - this is very high praise!! Angela

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